Page 81 of Unfulfilled Promises
“We need to call Devlin,” Seth said and went to stand.
I reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Let’s go to the luncheon for Waylon and we can talk to him afterward. Everyone’s on their way to Rhys’s anyway, and there’s no need to draw attention to this until we’re sure.” Pausing, I added, “Today isn’t about the Syndicate. It’s about family.”
He kissed me softly and helped me stand, making sure to keep his hands on me until I was steady on my feet. As we got to the front door, he lifted the pad into the air and asked, “What caused this?”
Securing the door, I waited for him to join me as I explained, “You said something that Sergey used to say, and I guess without all the stress, fear, or shame, the memory pushed forward.”
He helped me into the passenger seat and placed the pad onto my lap before walking around to the driver’s side and getting behind the wheel. He cranked the car and turned to look at me before he backed out of the driveway.
“Can I ask a question?” I nodded as he put the car into drive. “What was it like living with Sergey for that year? And I’m not trying to trigger you, but you seem . . . sad sometimes, so I’m just curious what your experience was with him, since everyone else’s seemed to be a nightmare.”
I reached over and took his hand into mine as he pulled out of his neighborhood and onto the ramp for the interstate. Glancing out at the other people in their cars. I used to wonder where they were going and if there was someone waiting at home for them.
“Sergey was complicated to put it mildly. I knew he was playing mind games with me.” I lifted the notepad and said, “This was probably some kind of game for him, to see if he could get his monkey to jump through a hoop. But as crazy as it seems, he and I used to talk for hours. Not all about the Syndicate, either. He had eyes everywhere, and somehow, he knew where I lived when I was a kid, and it was weird but he always acted angry at my mother for putting me in that house.”
“So, he knew something neither Devlin, James, nor Rhys knew?” I nodded, and he glanced at me as he pulled off the interstate on Rhys’s exit. “Hmm.”
“Do you think that means something?” I asked, and he lifted my hand to kiss the back as he turned onto the road leading to the compound.
“I’m sure it was that crazy Marcora brother that Devlin and James worked for that gave him the information,” he reasoned, and I shrugged, not wanting to give it too much thought.
“He celebrated my twenty-first birthday with me,” I admitted, and Seth smiled at me as I continued. “He came home from court with a cupcake and a single candle. He actually sang ‘Happy Birthday’, to me and when he asked what I wished for, I reminded him I couldn’t say or it wouldn’t come true. He told me that night that he was going to let me go once the trials were over so he would make my wish come true.” Seth didn’t say anything, so I added, “See? Complicated.”
Seth turned into Rhys’s driveway, and the guard waved us through as he replied, “I think he was a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I’m just glad he kept his word and protected you. If nothing else, the last thing he did in life was somewhat noble.”
I didn’t know about that, but he did keep his promise. Shaking off the memories that wanted to make an appearance, I looked out the window at the bikes, cars, and trucks parked in the circle in front of Rhys’s house. It was good to have the whole family together.
Seth parked the car and walked around to open my door. Tearing the page off the pad, I folded it up and handed it to him, asking, “Can you keep this safe?”
He patted his pocket before taking my hand and walking me up the stairs. The house was filled with laughter and conversation as we walked inside and I smiled, thinking how just a few years ago, the house was always quiet. The sadness that once hung over everything was lifting, and we were all starting to learn how wonderful life could be when you finally put the monsters back into the dark where they belonged.
The next few hours were filled with enough joy and happiness to fill a lifetime. We spoke of Waylon with fondness,even though none of us really knew him. But he would be remembered. We would make sure of it.
As the afternoon pushed on, I looked at Seth across the room, and when he caught my gaze, he gave a subtle nod toward Devlin. He was standing off to the side of the large living room, speaking with Jacob. I didn’t want to disturb him, but those numbers were driving me crazy. I needed to know once and for all if Sergey was fucking with my mind or if the rumored truths were accurate.
Walking across the room, I smiled at a few of our family members as I stepped around them. Seth was making his way around the room, and when we got to Devlin, he cut his eyes to us and patted Jacob on the shoulder before he turned and walked away. The madman waited for us to approach, then he lifted an eyebrow as he asked, “What’s going on?”
“Can we speak privately?” I inquired.
He gave a questioning look before asking, “Just us or can James come too?”
I looked at Seth, and he shrugged. Relenting, I replied, “James can come too.”
“Meet me in the interior patio in a few minutes,” Devlin remarked and stepped away from us.
Seth took my hand, and we stepped out of the living room and walked through the kitchen as we made our way down the hallway. The patio was empty, and while it was hot outside, the umbrellas and fans placed around made the area pleasant. Seth and I took a seat under one of the umbrellas, and he pulled the paper out and handed it to me.
Taking the folded paper into my hand, I asked, “Am I crazy?”
“I don’t think you are, baby. I think you’re brilliant.”
“She gets her brilliance from me,” James joked as he and Devlin walked out and joined us under the oversized umbrellas. “Is everything okay, Regan?”
All three men had lost their suit jackets and ties a few hours ago, and I gripped the paper tightly in my lap as I started to explain. “Earlier today, we stopped to feed Seth’s cat, and he said something that . . . triggered me.”
“What the fuck did you say to her, asshole?” Devlin asked as James started to stand.
“Stop, please. He didn’t do it on purpose, but what he said made me remember something.” Carefully, I lifted the paper, and they both grew curious as I continued. “It was a memory of Sergey from a few days before he died.” I lifted my eyes and saw Devlin gave no reaction, so I pushed on. “I’m not sure if this is anything or nothing at all but . . . I need to know if all this money bullshit is true or if they tortured me for nothing.”
